Broken Tapi Embankment Near SMC Triggers Flood Panic in Surat

Surat, Gujarat –  Just as the diamond city of Surat battles monsoon-triggered waterlogging and rising floodwaters, a shocking case of administrative negligence has come to light—one that could put thousands more at risk. A portion of the protective embankment on the banks of the Tapi River near Pataliya Hanuman Temple, located behind the I.P. Mission School and within close proximity of the Surat Municipal Corporation (SMC) headquarters, has collapsed, raising serious alarm about a potential Tapi flood disaster.

This critical lapse was not discovered by the authorities but was instead exposed by city-based advocate Zamir Sheikh, who filmed the broken section, posted the footage online, and issued a legal notice to SMC Commissioner Shalini Agarwal and the Surat Collector.

“The embankment has cracked near the Municipal Corporation’s own office—and they don’t even know it! What if there’s an upstream water release? Water will gush into residential areas. This is a recipe for disaster,” said Sheikh in a statement to media.

The crumbling embankment has not only stirred panic among nearby residents but also eroded public confidence in the local administration’s flood preparedness.

“We’re already knee-deep in water every time it rains. Now, if the river swells even a little, where do we go? This broken wall is our only protection,” said Rameshbhai Patel, a resident of the Pataliya area.

“It’s not just negligence—it’s criminal irresponsibility,” added housewife Pramila Desai. “They wait for a tragedy to act.”

Legal Notice, Viral Video Spur Outrage

Zamir Sheikh’s viral video showing the breach has already gathered traction on social media, with citizens tagging the SMC and demanding immediate repair. In his legal notice, Sheikh warned that if urgent repairs are not made, the administration will be held liable for any damage caused by impending floods.

What’s even more alarming is the administration’s apparent ignorance of the breach. Despite the official start of the monsoon, no repair work has begun, nor has any public statement been issued acknowledging the threat.

“The Collector and SMC officials are good at making promises. But when it comes to real groundwork, it’s a total failure,” said Sheikh.

Flood Risk Grows Amid Ongoing Rainfall

Surat has already seen severe urban flooding this monsoon, with overflowing drainage lines inundating low-lying colonies. The broken embankment adds another critical vulnerability, especially if the Ukai Dam releases additional water into the Tapi River in the coming days.

Locals fear that unless immediate reinforcement and repair work is carried out, the collapse could snowball into a full-blown flood disaster, devastating thousands of homes.

Citizens Demand Action

Residents and activists are now demanding that the administration urgently deploy repair teams, conduct an audit of all embankments, and launch an investigation to determine whether the collapse was due to natural erosion or human sabotage.